To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures will be put in place to ensure that members of the Muslim community with moderate beliefs are not victimised under the Prevent counterterrorism programme.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Neville-Jones): The Government are committed to protecting all communities. The review of the Prevent strategy will ensure that it is properly targeted and delivered.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans are in place to investigate any allegation of spying under the Prevent counterterrorism programme.
Baroness Neville-Jones: Prevent is not, and must not be, about spying on individuals. Previous allegations of spying have been investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. The Government are reviewing Prevent to ensure that it is properly targeted and delivered.
Lord Sheikh:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to ensure that the Prevent counterterrorism programme does not have a negative impact on community cohesion.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the total cost of implementing the Prevent counterterrorism programme; who receives the funding; and how their work is monitored.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a review is being undertaken of the Prevent counterterrorism programme; and what activities will be undertaken under the programme in future.
Baroness Neville-Jones: Funding specifically paid through the Prevent counterterrorism programme by the Home Office, Office for Security and Counter-terrorism (OSCT), in the financial year 2009-10 was approximately £30 million. Funds were used to support Prevent activity in a number of other government departments and voluntary and community-based organisations. These funds are allocated and monitored in line with relevant departmental procedures. Prevent activity is also funded separately by other government departments.
The Government will review the Prevent strand of the counterterrorism strategy by January 2011 to ensure it is properly focused and makes an appropriate contribution to dealing with extremism, and to achieve a clear separation from work to promote integration led by the Communities and Local Government department.